Charity should begin at home

However, not un-expectedly, there was the usual self-serving rider to Mugabes overture. He stressed that Zimbabwe would co-operate only with genuine and well meaning partners prepared to engage the country unconditionally. This means that the only countries that will be deemed to be genuine are those that are willing to turn a blind eye on all the horrors that have happened in this country.

It is clear from Mugabes utterances that the only reason he is keen to mend relations with the West is so that targeted sanctions can be lifted – regardless of whether or not he tackles the governance and human rights abuses that caused these countries to resort to bans and embargoes in protest in the first place.

The Western countries have insisted that they will not move an inch with regards to targeted sanctions until they are satisfied that genuine political reforms have been implemented under the Global Political Agreement (GPA).

Mugabe must demonstrate the sincerity of his motives for desiring a new beginning through a preparedness to do what is right in line with the wishes and aspirations of the Zimbabwean people.

In view of continuing state-sponsored violence, lawlessness, abrogation of civil liberties and his intransigence on sticking issues such as the disputed appointments of attorney-general Johannes Tomana and Reserve Bank governor Gideon Gono, Mugabe should not be surprised that the countries that have imposed restrictive measures on him and his cronies no longer trust him.

It does not matter how vehemently he declares that no strings should be attached with regard to any new relations – the fact remains that beggars falling into the rogue state category cannot be choosers.

It is difficult to imagine any Western countries turning a blind eye to the diversion of their resources, intended for the benefit of the people of Zimbabwe, into the pockets of the powerful and influential, to sponsor political violence, vitriolic propaganda blitzes or to rig elections. The Mugabe wing of the coalition government stands accused of all these.

In continuing to adopt an inflexible and unyielding stance at home while making appropriate noises to outsiders, Mugabe shows himself to have lost all sense of what is at stake the freedom of the people of Zimbabwe from the bondage to which Zanu (PF) has condemned them.

Instead of being consumed by a burning desire to teach Western nations a lesson, Mugabe should be guided by what is best for the long-suffering people of Zimbabwe – who yearn for freedom, peace, stability, and dignity. In our pinion, while re-establishing ties with the West is a positive step if undertaken for the right reasons, charity should begin at home.